As temperatures dip, the search for warmth and comfort begins.
Electric throw blankets, or heated throws, might be the solution you need. They are a relatively new product, and brands like Sunbeam, Breville, Linen House, Jason and Kmart have released models onto the market.
This is the first time CHOICE experts have put electric throws to the test in our labs. Our experts test them similarly to electric blankets, checking safety, durability, pre-heat performance and ease of use.
Our results can help you decide if it's worth racing to the store to buy one.
On this page:
- What is a heated throw blanket?
- A cost effective way to stay warm
- Do heated throw blankets really work?
- What are some useful features to look for?
- Are electric heated throws and blankets safe?
- Heated throw vs hot water bottle
- Heated throw blankets: Our verdict
What is a heated throw blanket?
As the name suggests, a heated throw blanket is a type of heated blanket. It has built-in heating elements, and once it's plugged into an electrical socket, the elements heat up the blanket to keep you nice and warm.
Unlike electric blankets, which are designed to warm your bed, an electric throw is portable (although its range depends on the power cord length) and can be used throughout the day. So whether you're working from home or lounging around on the couch, you can keep warm without necessarily having to heat the whole room.
A cost effective way to stay warm
Who needs an electric heater running non-stop when you can cosy up under a heated throw blanket? The electric heaters we've tested range in price from $69 to $749. In comparison, the blankets in our latest review range in price from $35 (for the Anko heated throw available from Kmart and Target) to $199 for the Sunbeam Feel Perfect Heated Throw Blanket and can be a cost-effective way to keep warm during winter for many reasons.
A heated throw is portable and can be used where you are, whether it be on the couch or at the table (providing you have a power source nearby), and can save you from heating the whole house. They use significantly less energy than other heating appliances and can reduce your overall energy consumption during winter. With rising electricity costs, a cost effective heating solution is a welcome addition to many households.
If you want to save on your power bills, a heated throw can be a worthwhile investment
CHOICE lab expert Matthew Tung
The blankets we tested will cost you only $12 to $18 in running costs if you use them quite frequently during the chilly season. A heated throw can keep you warm while you're awake and then you can slip into bed and stay warm with an electric blanket at night for a 24-hour, cost-effective heating solution. While we measure running costs for electric blankets differently, the models we tested can cost you up to $50 for the whole winter if you were to use one on low for eight hours each night.
By comparison, when we tested electric heaters and measured their running costs, we calculated that they can cost you anywhere from $171 to $508 in electricity costs to run throughout winter.
"If you want to save on your power bills, a heated throw can be a worthwhile investment," says our lab expert Matthew Tung.
Do heated throw blankets really work?
Much like an electric blanket for your bed, a heated throw isn't complicated to use. Simply connect it to your wall power socket, get comfortable and wait to feel nice and warm.
The blankets we tested are quick to heat up and most were able to reach 40 degrees in under five minutes. The slowest took 12 minutes to reach 40 degrees.
What are some useful features to look for?
All the blankets we tested come with an auto-off feature and light up controls, as well as removable controls for cleaning. They also have a number of heat settings, so you can adjust the temperature to suit your needs. Even the cheapest model we tested has nine settings to choose from.
A timer is another handy feature to look for, allowing you to automatically set the blanket to turn off after a certain amount of time. Most of the blankets we tested had various timer settings.
Consider where you'll likely be sitting when you're using the blanket and whether you have a power outlet nearby. Our experts measure the length of the power cord to help you determine if it will be long enough for your needs.
Are electric heated throws and blankets safe?
Our testing showed that heated throw blankets are safe and the models we reviewed passed our durability tests too. However, there's always a risk when electricity is involved, and accidents can happen.
Always follow the manufacturer's instructions for use, don't plug the heated throw into a power board or extension cord, and don't let young children use them. If you find any issues with the electrical cord, controls, or wiring in the blanket, stop using it immediately.
Are they easy to clean?
Our ease of use score takes into consideration how easy the blankets are to clean. First we check if the controller is removable and how easy it is to remove. Then we check if the blanket can be hand washed or if it can be put in the washing machine and whether it can be put in the dryer or needs to be line dried.
Only a couple of the heated throws we tested can be cleaned in the washing machine and most need to be line dried, so check the instructions before cleaning them.
Heated throw vs hot water bottle
Hot water bottles are a cheap way to warm up in winter. You can pick one up with a plush cover from places like Kmart for as little as $10. But do they work? And how do they compare to a heated throw blanket?
Cost: A hot water bottle is cheap to buy, and other than the tiny cost of the hot water used to fill it, doesn't cost anything to run.
Heating: Hot water bottles heat up immediately after you add the hot water, whereas you'll have to wait a few minutes for a heated throw. However, heated throws have setting controls to adjust the heat and offer continuous heating, whereas a hot water bottle will gradually lose heat.
Matthew tested a hot water bottle alongside the heated throws. After adding water at roughly 50°C, the surface temperature of the hot water bottle was about 30°C. After two hours the surface temperature was 27°C.
Portability: A heated throw blanket requires a power source whereas a hot water bottle doesn't and is extremely portable.
Ease of use: Heated throw blankets can be time consuming to clean but are relatively easy to use – simply plug in and select the heat setting. On the other hand, hot water bottles can be tricky to fill and care needs to be taken to avoid spills and burns. If you're using a cover, it'll need to be on the bottle when it's being filled, which means it may get wet in the process which can be annoying. Instructions warn users not to use boiling water when filling a hot water bottle.
Heated throw blankets: Our verdict
If you're looking for a safe and cost-effective way to stay warm during winter, then a heated throw blanket might be just the ticket.
If you spend long periods of time sitting, whether it be watching TV, reading a book or working from home, a heated blanket can be a cosy companion when days are cold.
"Provided you have a power source nearby, heated electric blankets are quick to heat up and have simple but useful features to keep you warm," says Matthew.
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Stock images: Getty, unless otherwise stated.
